Ronceverte-Virgil Watson Hanshaw, 68, passed away Friday, Sept. 11, 2015, at his residence.
He was born May 18, 1947, at Tioga, WV and was the son of Beula M. Bennett Patterson of the Greenbrier Manor in Fairlea and the late Virgil W. Hanshaw, Sr.
Virgil was a graduate of Marshall University, taught school at Huntington High School, was the former owner and operator of Heartland Construction Company in Raleigh, NC, former owner of Hanshaw Insurance Agency and the former owner operator of the Greenbrier River Campground at Fort Spring. He was a former member of the Greenbrier County Chamber of Commerce, Greenbrier County Planning Commission, Friends of the Greenbrier River Watershed, KOA Campground Association, one of the first organizers of the Ronceverte River Festival and key person in initialing the Rubber Ducky Race for the Ronceverte River Festival. Virgil was the first commercial outfitter on the Greenbrier River. His love and enjoyment of music placed him in several bands.
Other than his father, he was preceded in death by his sister, Madonna Hepler and stepfather, James Lee Patterson.
He is survived by: his mother, Beula M. Patterson of the Greenbrier Manor in Fairlea; sister, Shelbia Jean Bayne of Clifton Forge, VA; special friend and companion, Susie Fridley of Covington, VA; lifelong friend, Rodney O’Brien of Ronceverte and his beloved cocker spaniel, “Joecocker.”
A celebration of Virgil’s Life will held Sunday, Sept. 20, from 2 until 6 p.m. at the Greenbrier River Campground at Fort Spring.
Mrs. Patterson would like any sympathies, personal condolences or personal visits may be made to her at Greenbrier Manor, 1115 Maplewood Avenue, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Ronceverte is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
